MEDFORD, Ore. — A man came out of the stands and punched an eighth grade boy basketball player in the face during a Sunday tournament at Central Medford High School, according to multiple witnesses.
Police were still seeking the suspect as of Sunday evening, according to Medford Police Department Sgt. Jason Antley.
Witnessed described the suspect as an adult black man about six feet tall.
The man left the scene on foot, Antley said.
The incident unfolded when a player from Humboldt County in northern California tried to make a shot and was fouled by a player from a Hidden Valley club travel basketball team. Hidden Valley refers to an area south of Grants Pass that is home to Hidden Valley High School.
After being fouled, the Humboldt player punched the Hidden Valley player, who punched him back. The adult then came out of the stands and punched the Hidden Valley boy, witnesses said.
Witnesses said they believed the adult was the parent of the Humboldt player.
Antley said police also believe the man was a parent of a player from northern California.
“The parent of the kid who threw the first punch came and punched our child in the face and split him open along the eyebrow,” said Coach Larry Matusik, speaking about the injury to the boy on his Hidden Valley team. “It looks like he will need 15 to 20 stitches. I’ve played a lot of basketball a lot of years, and I’ve never seen a parent do that do a child. I’m 100 percent disgusted.”
Matusik said his player was lying on the floor of the basketball court when the man punched the boy in the face. Matusik said he tackled the man, but the man got away when the scuffle was being broken up.
The Hidden Valley player was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment, Matusik said.
Antley said the parent who allegedly attacked the boy could face assault and disorderly conduct charges.
Whether the man faces felony or misdemeanor-level assault charges depends on a number of factors, including the severity of injuries to the boy, Antley said.
All degrees of disorderly conduct are misdemeanors under Oregon law.
